Zidane's salary leaked, Da Cunha named future face of the Blues
While Zinédine Zidane's salary was revealed at €300,000 gross per month, France beat Belgium 1‑0, a victory that allowed Daniel Riolo to highlight Lucas Da Cunha as the future star of the Bleus.
Zidane's Salary Revealed
L’Équipe revealed that Zinédine Zidane's gross monthly salary amounts to €300,000, exactly the same amount as that received by his predecessor Didier Deschamps. This remuneration no longer includes image‑right bonuses, a benefit that Zidane chose to forgo. The manager thus gave up additional income linked to his numerous collaborations with brands. This information immediately fueled debate about the federation's salary policy.
To compensate for the loss of these bonuses, the French Football Federation has planned higher bonuses for major competitions, notably the World Cups and the European Championships. Zidane will therefore be able to significantly increase his earnings if the Bleus shine in the years to come. This strategy aims to align the manager's remuneration with the national team's performances. The exact amounts of the bonuses remain confidential, but they are tied to performances in the final stages of tournaments.
Da Cunha, the New Face of the Bleus
France won its match in Belgium 1‑0, a result that confirmed Zinédine Zidane's early strong choices for his second match in charge of the Bleus. Daniel Riolo highlighted that one individual performance particularly caught his eye: that of Lucas Da Cunha, who was in the starting lineup for the first time. “Da Cunha’s profile is the only profile that will give our football another face,” he said enthusiastically. This success confirmed Zidane's early strong choices.
Olise scores at 88', Da Cunha hits post: Zidane leads Montella's Bleus
A performance that surprised, as Da Cunha was initially a winger before being repositioned in midfield by Cesc Fabregas at the Italian club of Como. Under Fabregas’s guidance, he became a key player, then the captain of his side, recognized for his technical versatility and his ability to involve others. This evolution partly explains the manager’s interest in his profile. His ability to alternate between recovery and creation makes him particularly suited to the style of play the manager wants to implement.
A Reshuffle of the French Midfield
According to Riolo, Da Cunha’s arrival could reshuffle some cards in the French midfield, notably by questioning Rabiot’s place in Zidane’s system. “I’m not sure a player like Rabiot can bring anything positive to Zidane’s system,” he asserted, emphasizing that the coach is looking for a more mobile midfield capable of contributing to build‑up play and breaking the opponent’s lines. Da Cunha, with his forward‑oriented game, would fit this vision. This perspective could lead to tactical adjustments in the upcoming qualification matches.
Zidane's exuberant celebration after Olise's late strike lifts France
In summary, the leak of Zinédine Zidane’s salary and Daniel Riolo’s praise of Lucas Da Cunha illustrate a new direction for French football, both financially transparent and tactically refreshed. The bonuses linked to the upcoming major tournaments will allow Zidane to adjust his remuneration based on the Bleus’ future successes. Observers are waiting to see whether these changes will translate into better results in the upcoming championships. This dynamic could mark the beginning of an era where the French midfield stands out for its movement and creativity.